NFL Trade Speculation: What's the Value of Kevin Kolb and Top 5 Available Vets?

The long delay in the 2011 NFL offseason might have made some forget about a few players on the trade block. Don't think for a second, though, that any NFL team in need of one of these players has forgotten about them.

The power of a trade isn't to be understated. One trade won't turn a franchise around, but it could certainly get the ball rolling in the right direction if the timing, the player, and the price are right.

The only question is, what's the value on these guys? How much will a team have to part with in order to enlist the services of the player they're after?

Let's take a look at some of the top veterans available by trade, and what their value would be in a trade.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz.

Donovan McNabb

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins looks to throw a pass against the New York Giants on December 5, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Redskins 31-7. (

Value: Low

Six Pro Bowl selections. Five NFC Championships. An appearance in the Super Bowl. None of that could save Donovan McNabb from being benched by Mike Shanahan during the 2010 season.

We all know what Shanahan said, that he felt more comfortable with Rex Grossman running the two-minute drill than he did with McNabb running it. The underlying message, and one that Shanahan didn't refrain from reiterating time and time again, was that he felt McNabb wasn't giving him the best chance to win the game.

Of course, the Redskins probably wouldn't have signed McNabb to such a big deal if they weren't confident he'd be around in 2011. Or would they?

For that reason, it may be less likely that McNabb gets traded, and more likely that he gets cut. If I had told you that we'd be talking about McNabb being cut at the beginning of the 2010 offseason, would you have believed me?

Chad Ochocinco

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Value: Medium-low

When it comes to diva receivers, there always seem to be less teams lined up to pick them up than there are teams that the receiver is interested in going with. Call it part of the egocentric attitude that has led to the nickname of "diva".

Whatever you call it, Ochocinco's production dipped last year pretty hard. Some might argue it was a result of joining forces with Terrell Owens, but there's the possibility that he's just losing a step. He keeps himself in great physical condition, so he'll be an asset to some team.

That team better not keep too much stock in a strong locker room environment, though, because Ochocinco has long been considered one of the more self-centered players in the NFL.

Steve Smith

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks won, 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule

Value: Medium

It was once believed to be just a formality that Steve Smith would be traded to another team by the end of the 2011 offseason. Now, though, with encouraging words from both Ron Rivera and Steve Smith, the end may not be so near for the decade-long marriage.

It started with word from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Rivera said, "Steve is a Carolina Panther. Let us put it all together and see if it works first.”

Most recently, Smith himself has had positive words to say about the No. 1 overall draft pick, Cam Newton according to NFL.com. Not just about Newton, but also about his new head coach Rivera.

Smith still has a bit of thinking to do in terms of whether he wants to finish his career with the Panthers or to go chasing that elusive Super Bowl ring with another team. His dramatic dip in production in 2010 could be attributed partly to his age, but should be filed more under erratic quarterback play than anything else.

Kevin Kolb

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 02: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Dallas Cowboys on January 2, 2011 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Value: Medium-high

The long, drawn-out lull between the end of the 2010 season and the start of the 2011 offseason has caused something of a "Kevin Kolb sweepstakes" by default.

As always, there are plenty of teams in the market for a new quarterback. Kolb's services may not be the hottest ticket in town, though, with such a high price tag for the Eagles' back-up quarterback.

This is especially true since most of the teams in the market for a new QB are also in contention for the first overall pick in next year's draft. That pick could ultimately be used on Stanford's Andrew Luck, but of course, a team can't pick him if they don't have a first-round pick.

The largely unproven Kolb has completed just 60.8 percent of his career passes for 2,082 yards, 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His career record of 3-4 isn't helping his case, either.

Carson Palmer

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Value: Medium-high

Are the Bengals just trying to raise Palmer's stock by telling everyone he's not for trade? Or are they sincerely bound to forcing their former franchise signal-caller into retirement?

Whatever the case, there's only minimal doubt that Palmer could be a high-impact acquisition for a team needing a quarterback. Palmer has had his ups and downs over the past few years, but one could hardly blame him for the struggles of the Bengals in that time. I think Mike Brown and the Bengals brass did a good enough job of running the franchise into the ground on his own.

Only once in Palmer's career has he thrown more interceptions than touchdowns, and that was by a margin of one in the injury-shortened 2008 season.

In the right setting, Palmer could hit a groove and get his career back on track with a team that cares about winning as much as he does. So much, that he's considering retirement.